How a morning routine can help you make the most of retirement.

So you’ve moved past those first few months of retirement http://seamslikeastory.com/youre-retired-now-what/ and you’ve settled into your new morning routine.

ROUTINE?? NO! WAIT! I thought I retired so I wouldn’t have any routines!!

Sound familiar? When I retired from a long teaching career, the last thing I wanted was a morning routine. I still had nightmares of my old routine: getting up before it was light, showering, dressing, packing a lunch, grabbing a quick breakfast, besides getting my two children off to school, then driving to my school while running through the day’s lesson plans in my head. 

During my first summer of retirement, I just wanted to sleep, relax, and enjoy my unscheduled time. In my Rip Van Winkle state, I lived on the sofa in yoga pants and a tee shirt!   

But eventually the novelty of this no-routine routine wore off and days were slipping by. I needed a focus, a morning routine, but not like the frantic one I had when teaching. I wanted a morning routine that agreed with my retired lifestyle.

Here are 7 ways to start your day:

#1 Set regular hours

Sleep patterns are bound to change in retirement. No more being jarred awake by that annoying alarm. It took some time for my body to adjust to its own rhythm. I find now I wake up with the sun. It’s a glorious feeling! Along with that, research shows there are health benefits to getting 7-9 hours of sleep each night and going to bed and waking up at roughly the same time each day.

#2 Make your bed

Did you realize that making your bed each morning could have benefits? This simple act could create:

• A feeling of accomplishment
• A sense of calm
• Better sleep
• Enhanced organization
• Improved focus
•  A feeling of relaxation

So pull up the sheets, fluff that comforter, toss on the pillows. Easy-peasy, one thing done! Pat yourself on the back.

#3 Enjoy breakfast

There are some who will advocate for skipping breakfast. The new term is “intermittent fasting.” I tried it. My body rebelled. Besides, after all of those years of dashing out the door with a piece of toast or granola bar, I now have time to enjoy my breakfast. I do best, however, if I don’t overeat at this meal and I don’t want to spend a lot of time cooking or cleaning up in the morning. I keep it simple. My go-to breakfasts are: 

• Greek yogurt with fruit and granola
• Fruit smoothie
• Oatmeal with fruit and nuts
• Avocado toast
• Scrambled eggs, wholegrain toast

Think up 3-4 simple combinations that meet your taste and dietary needs and keep them on hand. At breakfast time, sit at the table (or take breakfast outside in nice weather) and eat mindfully. Enjoy this opportunity to nourish your body.

#4 Exercise

Once I retired, I wasn’t moving around as much as when I was keeping up with young children in the classroom all day, and as we age, exercise becomes even more important. But why morning? If I don’t exercise in the morning, I’m likely to talk myself out of it later in the day. Also, getting my body moving in the morning elevates my mood and helps set the tone for the day. I’m not a gym person, but a brisk morning walk and some gentle yoga stretching is good for the body and brain. 

#5 Journal

Keeping a journal is a beneficial self-care practice. Daily writing can help you reflect on your day-to-day life, set goals and aspirations, express your creativity, track changes in your life, and express gratitude. There are many resources online to help you get started and many types of journaling to explore. For the past few years, I’ve been doing a stream-of-consciousness style of journaling called “morning pages” in Julia Cameron’s book The Artist’s Way. Each day, I write 2-3 pages about whatever comes to mind.

#6 Set an intention for the day

Through journaling or during your morning walk, think of one thing you would like to accomplish during the day. It could be as simple as reaching out to a friend or as complex as starting a quilt or beginning a DIY home project. Explore your hobbies and passions. Plan to work on something that’s meaningful for you. 

#7 Be flexible

Remember, you’re retired. You are allowed to be flexible. There will be mornings when you want to have coffee with a friend, visit the grandchildren, take a trip. Go for it! Practicing a morning routine on most days will allow you to experience retirement to the fullest!